October 9, 2023

Got old Pumpkins and Gourds? Compost them!

The time of year for leftover Halloween and Thanksgiving pumpkins is officially upon us. Often, these items get tossed in the landfill, which creates unnecessary food waste and wastes natural resources like energy, land, and water. 

Did you know that 41 billion gallons of water are used every year to grow and make food that is never eaten in our community? Central Ohio partners are working together to change that.  

Make a difference this fall when you drop off your harvest vegetables, like pumpkins and gourds at one of these participating pumpkin and gourd collection locations: 

  • City of Columbus: Nov. 4, Nov. 25 or Dec. 2 between 8 am and 1 pm at the Division of Refuse Collection, 2100 Alum Creek Drive, 4262 Morse Road,  or 1550 Georgesville Road
  • Dublin:  Oct. 16  – Dec. 8 at 6555 Shier Rings Road
  • Grandview: Oct. 31 – Dec. 1 at Wallace Gardens, 1581 Goodale Blvd.
  • Grove City: Nov. 1 – Nov. 30 at Fryer Park, 3899 Orders Road
  • Gahanna: Oct. 18 – Dec. 8. at 152 Oklahoma Ave.
  • New Albany: Nov. 1 – Dec. 8 at New Albany Public Service, 7800 Bevelhymer Road
  • Upper Arlington: Oct. 31 – Dec. 8 at Fancyburg Park, 3375 Kioka Avenue 
  • Westerville: Oct. 30 – Dec. 1 at 350 Park Meadow Road or 469 Westdale Avenue
  • Worthington: Oct. 31 – Dec. 1 at 380 Highland Avenue, behind the Worthington Service & Engineering building,  near the food waste drop-off
  • The City of Bexley also invites residents participating in the curbside food waste pick-up program, to leave pumpkins at the curb on food waste collection days from Nov. 2 – Nov. 30

Intact and decaying pumpkins, carved jack-o’-lanterns and gourds are all accepted. Please remove candles and avoid dropping off pumpkins that have been painted or drawn on with permanent markers.  

Happy composting! 

Pumpkins and gourds